controversy in ny

[Alie549]

I just saw on the news... somehting about greek related deaths at Alfred University and another NY state school... anyone heard about this, or could provide details? A link to a news article would be good too...

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Here is the press release from Alfred U's website:
http://www.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=1035

Trustees question future of Greek system on campus
2/16/02

Alfred University Board of Trustees, meeting in New York this afternoon, voted unanimously to create a task force to evaluate the future of the Greek system on the Alfred University campus. The board requested a report from the task force as soon as possible.
At the same time, Alfred University fraternities and sororities will be subject to a zero tolerance policy. “We are putting all fraternities and sororities on notice that any violations of University policies, be they alcohol or hazing, or any kind of violent or disruptive behavior will result in the immediate suspension of the chapter involved,” said Alfred University President Charles M. Edmondson. “Further requirements for Alfred University’s continued recognition of fraternities and sororities will be forthcoming.”
The University also confirmed its intention to fully cooperate with authorities as they investigate any possible criminal activities on the part of students.
The trustees’ action follows the death earlier this week of Benjamin Klein, 21, a junior business major from Putney, VT, whose body was found about 9 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 12) in a creek that flows behind Zeta Beta Tau fraternity where he lived. A memorial service was conducted this morning in Brattleboro, VT.
The University has suspended the ZBT chapter and will soon be conducting a hearing on the revocation of its charter, said Edmondson. According to police, Klein had sustained facial injuries in an alleged beating that occurred in the presence of other fraternity members. Two members of ZBT have been suspended by the University.
Alfred Village Police Chief John Simons said Wednesday that the preliminary investigation does not indicate foul play was involved, in that the injuries Klein sustained may not have directly caused his death.
“Even though the injuries may not have directly led to Benjamin Klein’s death, the Alfred University Board of Trustees was outraged to learn of this incident,” said Robert McComsey, a 1966 alumnus who chairs the Board of Trustees.
“We are authorizing President. Edmondson to do whatever is required to eliminate any threat to our students,” said McComsey. “Actions such as occurred last week call into question the future of the Greek system on our campus.”
The Board of Trustees today unanimously endorsed the following statement:
“Everyone connected to the loss of Benjamin Klein, including his fellow students, family, friends and the Alfred community, is deeply saddened by this tragedy. We hope that our thoughts and prayers can help temper the grief of Benjamin’s loved ones.
“We know that our duty is to ensure the safety of our students as they pursue their higher education.
“Alfred University is an educational institution and everything we do must further our mission. Therefore, we have formed a special task force to evaluate whether the fraternities and sororities have a future role at our University. We will issue our final decision at the earliest possible time.”
The task force will be chaired by Dr. Gene M. Bernstein, a 1969 alumnus and immediate past chairman of the Board of Trustees. Membership of the task force will be announced shortly.
“This is a matter of protecting the health and safety of all our students,” said Edmondson. “Their parents entrust us to do all that we can to ensure a safe environment. We must do everything possible to fulfill this overarching duty.”

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[NeonPi]

Here's a posting from The Buffalo News via Fraternal News


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fraternalnews/message/461

[Tom Earp]

Once again these Knee Jerking Acadamic Ass Holes think the ting to do is kick Gree Orgs off of campus! Put the screws to the Greeks!

IF ALL OF THE GREEK ORGS DONT DO HOMECOMING all you have is high school bands and cowboy/girls on horses that sh%(# on the streets!

School loses, charity loses, and the students lose! How ya may ask, Alums do not give money to the U.s Charitys do not benefit from events and people in Parades walk in HS!:eek:

[hoosier]

About two years ago, some libs at Alfred got volumes of natl. TV/newspaper publicity for a flawed study of athletic hazing.

Most athletes are hazed, they said.

Of course, their definition of hazing included "reporting to campus before classes start" for practice. This means that all football and soccer players who come to pre-season practice are "victims" of hazing.